Game Regulations / Society Advice

Game Regulations / Society Advice

Law 5.2 - Half Time

After half-time the teams change ends. There is an interval of not more than 15 minutes.

The length of the interval is decided by the match organiser, the Union or the recognised body which has jurisdiction over the game. During the interval the teams, the referee and the touch judges may leave the playing enclosure.

Society advice:

In none of the regular matches appointed by the Society has the recognised body made any stipulation regarding half time. Normally, therefore, you are advised to allow no more than 5 minutes for half time. If a side decides to return to the changing rooms you should not allow more time.

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RFU Regulation 12.5 - Approaches to Match Officials

No person shall approach the Match Officials at any time during the half time interval to discuss any issue arising from the first half of the match nor shall enter the referee’s changing room during the half time interval unless invited to do so by the referee.

Society Policy:

It is the Society's Policy that no person shall approach the Match Officials, or shall enter their changing rooms, to discuss any issue arising from any part of the match, until 30 minutes after the final whistle, unless invited to do so by the referee. (N.B. collection of Match Cards / score verification, etc., to meet regulations is permitted)

Breaches of this Regulation / Policy should be reported, in writing, to the Society’s Hon. Secretary

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RFU Regulation 13 - Pitch Side Arrangements

RFU North Division (below Level 5) - CB expectations (All Matches, including Age Grade)

• All pitches should be enclosed by a barrier, which may be temporary.
• Inside the barrier (within the enclosure)
• Touch Judges should be able to run the line without interference or obstacle
• there should be a Technical Area for each team - this may be physical in the form of a dugout or shelter or seating - this may be a clearly marked box
• if no Technical Area exists or is marked out – everybody must remain outside the barriers and off the playing enclosure
• the only Permitted personnel allowed within the enclosure during match time is a maximum of 4individuals, comprising four of the following:
• Team Doctor or Physio or First Aider - clearly identified if possible on coat, sweatshirt or tabard;
• Water Carriers (maximum of 3 in addition to medic who may also act as a water carrier) (Replacements can be utilised as water carriers and may also carry the kicking tee).
• Plus the fourth official appointed by the home club to supervise the playing enclosure.
• Permitted personnel must remain within the technical areas unless allowed onto the enclosure by the referee (during breaks in play for example).
• On other occasions players should come to the touchline to get water.
• All replacements, coaches and other non-playing staff must stay outside the pitch barrier during the match (and are only allowed onto the pitch at half-time).
• Replacements may only warm up behind the opponent’s in-goal area.
• Players shown a yellow card (temporary suspension) should serve out their suspension adjacent to their technical area if one is available. Otherwise, they should stand behind and between the posts in the in-goal area their team is attacking.
• Players who are dismissed (red card) must leave the playing enclosure and should return to the changing rooms without delay.

Breaches of this Regulation / Policy should be reported, in writing, to the Society’s Hon. Secretary and, where relevant, on the Match Card and/or to the Organizer / League’s Secretary.

Society advice:

If there is an enclosure but Technical Areas are not marked, and you wish to proceed with the match, apply the RFU Regulations as far as reasonably possible. In particular, insisting that the 4 permitted personnel remain between the half-way line and their own 10m line and close to the barrier, and ensuring that nobody is allowed to encroach the pitch and/or patrol the touchline.

At many clubs the outer fields will not have barriers. On these occasions you are advised to insist that all coaches, replacements, spectators, etc., must remain a reasonable and practical distance back from touchlines.

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RFU Northern Division Instructions

6.5 Fitness of Pitch

When a late decision (i.e. within 3 hours of kick off) as to the fitness of the pitch for playing a match is necessary, the decision shall be made by the captains of the teams involved.

If the captains agree for the match to proceed, the referee is still entitled to decline to referee any match on safety grounds or any other substantial reason.

If one or both of the captains do not agree for the match to proceed, the match will not be played and the matter will be referred to the organising committee to decide upon what action shall be taken.

Society advice:

Resist all pressure and do not be drawn into the Captains’ decision.

13.1 Colour of strip

The North Organising Committee has ruled that in the event of a colour clash, it is the Homeside who must change strip to avoid a colour clash.

15.3 Enforcement of Regulations 2016-2017 Season (RFU Leagues Only)

N.B. This regulation does not apply to NOWIRUL games

(i) A club responsible for causing a match to go to uncontested scrums, shall be responsible for removing a player “man off rule ”

(ii) A club shall also be responsible for not exceeding the number of permitted interchanges “rolling subs”. Both of the offences if breached will carry a 5 point deduction (Appendix 2 of the Regulations).

(Referees are strongly advised to study the relevant Regulations of the RFU Handbook 2015-2016 - Appendix 2, pages 228 - 232)